Apps are all about enhancing user experience by allowing your target audience to have a dedicated space where they can access your products or services. By offering this convenience, you boost your brand visibility and foster loyalty among your customers, which helps you take your business to the next level. However, this is only possible if you hire the right developer for the job. So, how can you filter the options in the market to land on what works for you?
How to Choose the Right App Developer
While apps are a great way to gain a competitive advantage over competitors, they only serve this role if they are efficient and effective. As such, you must consider the following aspects when hiring someone to create your app:
Project Goals
What kind of app are you making? How many people do you wish to serve? On which platform will the app be available? These are some of the questions that will help you narrow down the kind of project you have on your hands. But why is this important?
- It helps you communicate what you want. The person or company you hire will work according to your project definitions. As such, by being clear about your expectations, you can ensure that you are all on the same page to ensure you get an app that you like.
- It helps you choose the right person for the job. Say you want to hire someone to create a simple game app that targets young adults around the world. You'd use this goal to find someone who has expertise in this area.
Developer Options
The scope of your project plus your budget will determine the right person or company for the job. How so?
- The size. The larger the project, the more skill sets will be necessary. For example, you may find that you need to hire a network of experts, some specializing in graphic design, others working on the copy, and others coding the mechanisms. In such a case, it might be better to hire a company as they have these skill sets on the payroll. But with a smaller project, you can hire one person for the job, and they will succeed.
- The budget. Hiring a freelancer developer will cost you much less than you would pay a company. After all, they have fewer overheads and can pass on the cost savings to you. But if you have a significant budget, you can hire a team without feeling the pinch.
Filtering Your Options
At this point, you already know the kind of app you want and whether you will work with a solo freelancer or a team. But how can you narrow your options? Here is where you focus on the following aspects:
- Expertise: You always want to work with someone or a company that has actually worked on projects similar to yours. For example, if you want to launch an Android app, you will want someone who has done this before, as they will know how to configure your app to ensure it meets the platform requirements.
- Portfolios: These showcase what they have worked on and help you compare your current scope to their capabilities.
- Coding tests and interviews: It's easier to gauge how well a person or company can handle your project by assessing their technical abilities. A simple task is enough to highlight their strengths and/or weaknesses.
- Customer experiences: Have other people worked with this person or company? What have they said about them? While it's easy to look at the reviews from the developer's site and take their word for it, sometimes it's better to ask them for contacts of their previous clients, who you can call for confirmation.
- Demeanor: When you are working with someone on something as important as an app, you want to ensure that they will fit in with your team or can work with you without much oversight. As you interview potential developers, pay attention to how well they communicate with you. Are they polite? How open are they to feedback? Now is the time to pay attention to these details, which will make all the difference once you start working together.
- Support. Will the developer stay on after the project to help you maintain the app and fix bugs? It's best if you find someone or a company that offers such support, as it is essential to the functioning of your app in the long run
Finally, yo'll want to check if the developer is okay with working per your project scope and budget. It's always best to get this in writing so that you can protect your interests.
